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Molokai Swim Club a Reality

Community Contributed

By Robby Coleman

Rumors of a year-round swim club forming on Molokai have been circulating around the island for many months. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Malcolm Cooper, head coach of the Maui Dolphins Swim Club (MDSC), who obtained a permit from the county and the support of Zachary Helm and Michael Manga, from the local Parks and Recreation, the swim club is now reality.

Beginning 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 1, the Molokai Chapter of the Maui Dolphins will hold its first practice at Cooke Memorial Pool. Regular practices will be held Monday through Thursday (except holidays) every week of the year after regular pool hours. Jessie Ford, Molokai High School swim coach, and her volunteer assistant in 2011, Lorraine Coleman, will be the coaches.

Both Jessie and Lorraine are MDSC members and fully certified USA Swimming coaches. Certification includes background checks, athlete protection courses, safety training, First Aid and CPR. They look forward to coaching swimmers of all ages and eventually hope to have a full age-group swimming program and perhaps even a Masters.

This is a community club open to everyone, not just competitive swimmers. That includes folks who perhaps work all day and cannot make it to the pool during regular hours, families who enjoy doing fun activities together, and swimmers who may just want some tips on improving their stroke. Membership in the club includes general liability insurance coverage, year-round training, and the chance to compete as Maui Dolphins in sanctioned meets.

Lorraine’s husband, Robby, has volunteered to act as Chapter Administrator to register all new members, collect dues, and other tasks. As membership grows, at least one more coach will be needed too.

All information on joining the Molokai Swim Club and online applications are available on the MDSC site on their “How to Join” page at mauidolphins.org/new_swimmers.htm. Anyone interested in an email copy of the new club’s “Welcome Letter” with Jessie’s and Lorraine’s contact information, please email Robby at capnrobby@yahoo.com.